Public Notices from the City Clerk

Early voting ended at 4 pm on Sunday. Over the five days, 226 voters cast ballots. To see what wards are voting and how many voters turned out each day, review the voter turnout to date (PDF).

On Tuesday, November 5, the polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. All voting takes place at the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue.

Voting is quick and easy.

Same-day/on-site registration is available during voting hours.

Expanded voter eligibility in Takoma Park elections includes residents who are 16/17 years old, residents on parole or probation after a felony conviction, and residents who are not citizens of the United States.

Although there will be no early voting on Monday, voters who absolutely cannot make it to the polls on Tuesday should contact the City Clerk at 301-891-7267 or by email to arrange to vote an in-person absentee ballot.

Complete election information, including sample ballots, is available on the 2013 election page.

The Takoma Park Board of Elections is seeking qualified individuals to serve as election judges. There are a variety of opportunities for participation this year:

Election Day Judges serve 6 am to 10 pm on election day (November 5) and assist with setting up the polling place at 7 p.m. the night before.

Election Day Closers work 6 pm to 10 pm on election day (November 5).

Early Voting Judges work for part or all of early voting:

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Thursday, Oct. 31, 1:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, Nov. 1, 1:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Saturday, Nov. 2, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Sunday, Nov. 3, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm

Election Day Judges receive a stipend of $140. Election Day Closing Judges receive a stipend of $35. Early Voting Judges receive a stipend of $70 per day.

All must attend a training on Thursday, October 24, 7 - 9:30 pm or Saturday, October 26, 10 am -12:30 pm

Election judges must be registered to vote in Takoma Park or Montgomery County. Judges must be able to read, speak and understand English. Residents who speak a second language, non-citizen residents, and youth ages 16 and up are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for applications is October 4. For additional information, contact Assistant City Clerk Irma Andia at IrmaN@takomaparkmd.gov or at 301-891-7214.

Tenant Rights to Civic Inclusion

In 2013, the City Council enacted two important amendments to the Housing Code to ensure that tenants who live in multi-unit housing have the opportunity to fully participate in the electoral process.

1) Candidates’ access to multi-unit buildings:

After providing notice to landlords and tenants, qualified candidates and their volunteers are permitted to enter apartment buildings for the purpose of campaigning for office or to register voters. This may occur during the 90-day period before an election and only for candidates who are running to represent an area that includes the multi-unit building. Of course, tenants are not required to open their doors to candidates. The City provides, free of charge, a sign that a tenant may place on the apartment unit door to indicate that canvassing is not welcome.

2) Information packets for new tenants:

Within seven days of a new tenancy, landlords are required to distribute to new tenants a City-supplied packet of information to include: a) State of Maryland voter registration forms; b) City of Takoma Park voter registration forms for residents not eligible to register and vote in county, state, and national elections; and c) other material designated by the City regarding services, laws, and the electoral process.

Pepco provides a variety of energy saving incentives, rebates, and other programs to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. An informative presentation was given by Susan Marinelli, DSM Residential Program Manager, Pepco Energy Wise Rewards, at the City Council meeting on Monday, July 1, 2013.

The City Council is considering a number of changes to the Takoma Park Code, Title 6, Housing. These changes include, for example, an expanded definition of rent, clarification of when and how utility costs may be transferred to a tenant, and minor modifications to rent stabilization. Among the changes being considered are two new provisions. The first provision would require landlords to distribute city-provided electoral information to new tenants. The second provision would, with restrictions, require landlords to allow candidates for office to have access to multi-unit rental buildings to canvass individual tenants.

As part of the Right to Vote Resolution (PDF) adopted on May 13, the City Council established a Task Force on Voting to make recommendations to the City Council on any policies or regulations needed to strengthen the right to vote and voter participation in City elections. Up to 11 members will be appointed by the Council. Members should be Takoma Park residents or represent organizations with expertise in election law or policy, voting rights or voter registration. The Council will aim to appoint at least two youth members (aged 16 to 21 on the date of appointment). Two members of the Task force will be selected by the Takoma Park Board of Elections and recommended to the Council for appointment.

The Task Force will be asked to issue a preliminary report with recommendations for the 2013 election by September 15, 2013 and a final report with its findings and recommendation to the City Council by June 30, 2014 unless its term is extended by the Council.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting contacting Jessie Carpenter, City Clerk, jessiec@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7267. The deadline for initial applications is June 19, 2013. Appointments are expected to be made July 1.

This is to give notice that on May 13, 2013, the Council of the City of Takoma Park adopted Charter Amendment Resolution No. 2013-1 which amends Article III, the Council, and Article VI, Registration, Nominations, and Elections, of the Takoma Park Charter.

This Charter Amendment will become effective on July 2, 2013 unless petitioned to referendum by 20 percent of the registered voters of the City on or before June 22, 2013.